Ibn al-Sawwaf
- Died
- 359 AH
- Born in
- -
Abu Ali Ibn al-Sawwaf (270–359 AH / 883–970 CE) was a Baghdad-based hadith scholar and traditionist known for his narrations and compilations, including Fawa'id Abi 'Ali al-Sawwaf .
Lineage and Origin
He was Abu Ali Muhammad ibn Ahmad ibn al-Hasan ibn Ishaq ibn Ibrahim ibn Abd Allah . The nisba al-Sawwaf derives from the trade and sale of wool (sawf) . He was born in Sha'ban 270 AH and lived his life in Baghdad .
Hadith Study and Transmission
Ibn al-Sawwaf studied hadith under several prominent authorities of his era, including Abdullah ibn Ahmad ibn Hanbal, Ishaq ibn al-Hasan al-Harbi, Bishr ibn Musa al-Asadi, Abu Ismail Muhammad ibn Ismail al-Tirmidhi, Muhammad ibn Uthman ibn Abi Shaybah, and Musa ibn Ishaq al-Ansari .
A broad group of notable traditionists transmitted hadith from him. Among his earlier students was al-Daraqutni, who made a specialized selection (intiqa') from his narrations in Fawa'id Abi 'Ali al-Sawwaf . Later transmitters included Abu al-Hasan ibn Rizqawayh, Abu al-Husayn ibn Bishran, Abu Bakr al-Barqani, Abu Nu'aym al-Isfahani, and Muhammad ibn Ahmad ibn Abi al-Fawaris .
Scholarly Standing and Death
Ibn al-Sawwaf was widely regarded as a trustworthy and precise narrator. Al-Daraqutni praised him, stating that his eyes had never seen anyone comparable to Ibn al-Sawwaf and another scholar in Egypt . Ibn Abi al-Fawaris described him as trustworthy, dependable, and unsurpassed in his meticulous caution (taharruz) in narration .
Ibn al-Sawwaf died in 359 AH at the age of eighty-nine . According to Ibn Abi al-Fawaris, his death occurred on 3 Sha'ban 359 AH, whereas Muhammad ibn al-Husayn al-Qattan reported that he died toward the end of that year .
Answer updated
List of Works
al-Thani min Ajza Ibn al-Sawwaf is a short hadith compilation (juz') preserving transmitted narrations. The collection comprises prophetical traditions, companion reports, and early exegetical traditions centered primarily on the creation and life of Adam as well as reports concerning the pre-existence and prophecies of the Prophet Muhammad.
al-Juz' al-Thalith min Fawa'id Abi 'Ali al-Sawwaf is a hadith tract containing a selection of transmitted reports selected by al-Daraqutni. The work covers diverse topics, including eschatological matters such as the questioning in the grave and the afterlife, ritual prayer and etiquette, ethical conduct, and the virtues of the Prophet's companions.
Juz' min Hadith Abi Ali al-Sawwaf is a hadith collection comprising prophetic traditions and reports transmitted on the authority of several leading hadith authorities. The narrated traditions predominantly address themes of mutual assistance, kindness, relieving distress, and concealing the faults of fellow believers.
Fawaid Abi Ali al-Sawwaf is a collection of hadith transmissions. Its surviving third part represents a selection (intiqa') made from these transmissions by the hadith master al-Daraqutni.